Category: News

In a surprising comparison that blends politics and sports, former Senator Dino Melaye has congratulated Atiku Abubakar on securing the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 elections. Drawing a parallel to a recent football victory, Melaye remarked that Atiku’s win was reminiscent of Arsenal’s Premier League success.

The ex-lawmaker took to social media platform X to express his admiration, stating, “Boss, you did it just like Arsenal.” This analogy highlights the underdog spirit and long-anticipated victory that both entities share.

Atiku’s emergence as the ADC flagbearer was announced by Tunde Ogbeha, the chairman of the party’s presidential primary committee. According to Ogbeha, Atiku garnered a staggering 1,846,370 votes, defeating competitors Mohammed Hayatu-Deen and Rotimi Amaechi, who secured 177,120 and 504,117 votes, respectively.

This marks Atiku’s sixth attempt at the presidency, having previously contested in 2007, 2019, and 2023. The former vice president remains a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, undeterred by past setbacks.

On May 19, Arsenal clinched their first English Premier League title in 22 years after Manchester City’s draw with Bournemouth. The Gunners’ long-awaited triumph resonated with fans worldwide, including Melaye, who saw a reflection of that perseverance in Atiku’s primary victory.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has leveled serious allegations against Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, accusing him of trying to prevent a crucial party event from taking place. According to the PDP, the planned gathering at A Class Event Centre in Abuja, where former President Goodluck Jonathan is set to be officially endorsed as the party’s presidential candidate, faced interference.

In a statement released on Friday, the party revealed that the event center’s management informed them of external pressure aimed at canceling the event. The PDP insists that it has already made full payment for the venue and met all necessary requirements for the program.

The party further stated that security agencies have been duly informed about the convention, which is scheduled for Saturday, May 30, 2026, in the Wuse 2 area of Abuja. Emphasizing its commitment to the event, the PDP disclosed that its legal team has been instructed to remind the event center about the binding agreement signed with the party.

Despite what it describes as intimidation tactics, the PDP has declared that the convention will go ahead as planned. The party’s statement read: “We are confident that Nigeria operates under the rule of law. Any attempt to employ force to suppress political dissent and opposition is unacceptable and must be opposed by all conscientious citizens.”

The PDP also criticized Wike, arguing that the FCT minister has no constitutional power to dictate which political meetings can be held in Abuja or their locations. The party labeled any move to obstruct the event as undemocratic and called on its leaders and members across the country to attend as scheduled.

Earlier, DAILY POST reported that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had instructed owners of hotels, event centers, and public facilities in Abuja to only engage with political party leadership recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The administration also warned that properties used by what they termed illegal organizations could face the loss of their land titles.

The directive, issued in a statement by Lere Olayinka, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, stated that the policy aims to enhance security in Abuja and prevent public facilities from being utilized for activities that could disrupt public peace.

The North-Central forum of the All Progressives Congress has clarified that it has no desire to create turmoil within the party as the 2027 general elections approach. This declaration came as the group formally withdrew a previous ultimatum directed at the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda.

Earlier, the forum had demanded that Yilwatda step down within two weeks or face legal proceedings, citing alleged irregularities during the APC primaries. However, in a statement issued late Thursday by its National Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, the forum rescinded that demand and offered a full apology to Yilwatda.

According to the statement, the ultimatum was based on incorrect information and a misinterpretation of the actual circumstances within the party. The forum expressed that it had been misled and now recognizes the need for unity and stability.

“The North-Central APC Forum is a body of well-intentioned stakeholders committed to the growth of our great party. Our earlier call for the resignation of the National Chairman was fueled by misinformation and a lack of full understanding. Now that we are aware of the true facts, we withdraw the ultimatum and offer our sincere apologies to the national chairman and all APC leaders,” the statement read.

The group emphasized that it is not an agent of destabilization and has no intention of instigating a crisis. It suggested that external forces may have manipulated its earlier stance on the primaries.

The forum urged all party members to rally behind the Yilwatda-led National Working Committee to ensure victory for President Bola Tinubu and the APC in the 2027 elections. It also reiterated its promise to deliver six million votes from the North-Central zone to Tinubu.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has chosen Ibrahim Kashim, a former Secretary to the Bauchi State Government, as its governorship candidate for the 2027 elections. The selection was made through a consensus process, as announced by Paul Daniel, the chairman of the party’s electoral committee for the primary election, during a press briefing in Bauchi on Friday.

Daniel explained that the decision came after extensive consultations with party stakeholders and other aspirants, emphasizing that the consensus approach underscores unity within the NDC. He declared Kashim as the official candidate for the upcoming poll.

Abdullahi Maigari, the NDC chairman in Bauchi, praised the party’s rising popularity across the state, highlighting that it is one of the few political groups free from internal conflicts. He expressed strong confidence in Kashim’s experience and ability to tackle the socio-economic issues affecting the state.

In his acceptance speech, Kashim expressed gratitude to party leaders, delegates, and supporters for their trust. He vowed to prioritize education, healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment, infrastructure, and transparent governance if elected. He also urged residents and party members to rally behind the party’s vision as the 2027 elections approach.

President Bola Tinubu has voiced his delight that Nigerian states are no longer facing difficulties in meeting their salary obligations, marking a significant shift from the situation prior to his assumption of office on May 29, 2024.

Speaking on Friday in Lagos while receiving the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, for a Sallah visit at his residence, Tinubu reflected on the improved financial conditions. He remarked that while watching clips of the Sokoto-Badagry corridor, he envisioned the potential for constructing numerous dams for irrigation, farming, and electricity generation along that route. He acknowledged the governors for fostering resilience among citizens and encouraging trust in his administration.

Tinubu expressed profound gratitude, stating, “You have built that trust around one person: my leadership. I thank you very much. I am truly grateful. I cannot express enough how thankful I am to Almighty God that we are here together to share our thoughts and developmental programs.” He highlighted that out of 27 governors seeking federal loans and interventions, the era of struggling to pay salaries has ended. “I am glad that out of the 27 governors borrowing from the federal government and asking for interventions, we are no longer struggling to pay salaries. No more,” he said.

In a bold statement on Friday, the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) urged the Nigerian Army to redirect its hostility towards the Islamic terrorist bandits terrorizing northern and western Nigeria. The group’s leader, Comrade Uchenna Madu, issued this challenge in response to what MASSOB claims is the Army’s aggressive stance against the upcoming Biafra Day anniversary.

MASSOB alleged that the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu described its directive to churches in Biafra land to hold memorial services and prayers for victims of the 1967-70 genocide as irresponsible and provocative. The group criticized the Army for not labeling the activities of Islamic bandits as equally provocative or illegitimate, asserting that the Army should be ashamed of its selective outrage.

The group further urged churches in Biafra land to ignore the Army’s statements and not to succumb to such pressures. MASSOB emphasized that the Army’s provocations will never push them towards violence or armed struggle, highlighting their commitment to non-violence. The group stated that the Army is uneasy with the growing reality of Biafra’s actualization and restoration.

Madu questioned why the Army targets MASSOB, given its non-violent approach and adherence to international standards of self-determination activism. He reiterated that MASSOB has never resorted to arms or retaliated against security agencies for extrajudicial killings of its members, as their foundation is rooted in peaceful principles.

Looking ahead, Madu reminded that tomorrow marks the 59th anniversary of the Biafra declaration by General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. He called on Biafrans to observe a sit-at-home in commemoration. On Sunday, May 31, all churches in Biafra land are expected to hold special prayers for Biafra and the victims of the genocide endured by the people.

The Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) has voiced strong condemnation over the chaos that erupted during the Children’s Day festivities at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Edo State, leaving numerous students with injuries. The incident, which occurred on May 27, 2026, saw security personnel deploy pepper spray and tear gas to manage crowds, triggering a stampede that reportedly harmed over 50 students, predominantly girls.

According to CRPP National Chairman Dr. Samson Isibor, the use of non-state actors like bouncers for crowd control at such a large-scale event was highly questionable. He further criticized the involvement of Government House security in authorizing the use of chemical agents, which escalated the situation and led to the trampling of innocent children trying to flee.

The coalition alleged that two students may have lost their lives, though this has not been officially confirmed. Videos and images of the tragic event have circulated widely online, contradicting the state government’s denial of any fatalities. Isibor argued that the disaster exposes Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration as inept in crowd management and failing to safeguard children, especially girls.

He stated, “This tragedy reveals the government’s so-called child-friendly image as a facade. The alleged invasion by cultists also undermines the governor’s claims of eradicating cultism, showing that security challenges persist.”

The CRPP demands a public apology from Governor Okpebholo to the children and parents affected. They urge the state to cover all medical expenses for the injured and provide fair compensation for their losses.

Recall that the Edo State Government had earlier denied any student deaths, dismissing such reports as baseless.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has set up a robust campaign structure for the forthcoming governorship election in Ekiti State, appointing Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State as the head of the council. The party initially designated Senator Uba Sani to lead the campaign team on April 24, 2026, with the poll scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for June 20, 2026.

Unveiled at the APC National Secretariat in Buhari House, Abuja, the campaign council comprises an array of senior party figures, state governors, cabinet ministers, federal legislators, and influential political stakeholders nationwide. A document bearing the signature of the APC National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, also names Senate President Godswill Akpabio as the council’s Vice Chairman.

Further notable appointees include Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; Chief of Staff to the President Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Governors Hope Uzodimma, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Babagana Zulum, Dapo Abiodun, Ahmed Aliyu, Mohammed Umaru Bago, and Lucky Aiyedatiwa; as well as former Governors Kayode Fayemi and Yahaya Bello. Cabinet members Dele Alake, Sunday Dare, and Bunmi Tunji-Ojo have also been listed as council members.

To streamline campaign operations, the APC has constituted specialized sub-committees covering Election Planning and Management, Finance and Resource Mobilisation, Media and Publicity, Security, and Women and Youth Mobilisation. The make-up of the campaign team underscores the high priority the ruling party places on the Ekiti governorship contest and signals strong confidence in Governor Uba Sani’s leadership abilities and political network.

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has expressed its approval of the recent report from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), emphasizing its dedication to peace and rejection of all violent acts within Nigeria.

In a statement signed by its National President, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, MACBAN welcomed the report, which was released on May 8, 2026. The association particularly praised the report for making a clear distinction between criminal elements and the millions of peaceful Fulani individuals living across the country.

MACBAN reiterated its status as a legitimate organization representing pastoralists, with a focus on fostering peace, national unity, and protecting lives and property. The group condemned attacks on communities and places of worship, stressing that criminal activities should not be attributed to any specific ethnic or religious group.

“Assaults on citizens during religious ceremonies or celebrations are unacceptable and go against human values and the laws of Nigeria,” the statement read.

The association further argued that criminal gangs operating in certain regions do not represent ordinary Fulani citizens. It pointed out that many Fulani herders themselves have been victims of cattle rustling, kidnappings, and violent attacks.

MACBAN pledged to continue collaborating with security agencies and traditional rulers to identify and apprehend criminals hiding in rural communities and forest areas. The group noted that its state and zonal branches have been urged to enhance information sharing with authorities to support security operations.

The association also cautioned against ethnic profiling and the blanket stigmatization of herders, warning that such actions could deepen divisions and undermine efforts toward peaceful coexistence. It called on politicians, media organizations, and local security groups to avoid narratives that could inflame ethnic tensions, especially as political activities ramp up ahead of the 2027 elections.

The kidnapped principal of a school in Oyo State, Mrs. Alamu, has issued a heartfelt plea through a newly released video, calling on the government, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and President Bola Tinubu to intervene urgently. In the footage, she describes the captives’ dire conditions, noting that teachers and students have endured extreme weather—both cold and heat—for weeks while in the hands of their abductors.

Mrs. Alamu also revealed that the kidnappers have grown increasingly restless and have threatened to kill one of the hostages following a previous rescue attempt that failed. She implored authorities and the public to help secure their release before matters escalate further.

“Please, help us. I am calling on the NUT to negotiate with them. Do not use force. All they need to do is talk and set us free. We are in the cold and under the sun. We are begging you,” she said in the video.

Background: On May 15, 2026, armed men abducted several pupils and teachers from the communities of Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota in Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State. A similar abduction occurred around the same time in Askira-Uba Local Government Area, Borno State, resulting in over 40 students being taken. Tragically, one of the captives, teacher Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly killed by the kidnappers.